A Few New Things

I thought I would post a few new things that I have been working on recently.  I have been super duper busy with lots of orders coming in.  I love that!  I love that I can help kids.  It makes my day every time I complete a blanket and send it out.  It totally makes my day when I receive awesome feedback that the item I made has provided peace and comfort to those that need it so much.

It's a New Year, New Changes

A little on the personal side today.  I thought I would share since it has been on my mind the last couple of days.

I am sitting here just thinking how grateful I am to all of my customers, to my children and my children's therapists along with my husband.

I am thankful for my husband who without his support I could not be where I am today!  Thank you, honey!

I am thankful to my children's therapists who with constant urging got me to start making blankets for other people.  They were constantly nagging me and telling me how talented I was.  More importantly, they told me there was a need for what I could do and how I could bless the lives of others.  Well, that got me.  ;)

I am super thankful to my children because they are each unique and beautiful!  I love them to pieces.  Let's be honest though.  If it wasn't for their needs I wouldn't be doing what I am doing.

I am incredibly thankful to all of my past customers that have entrusted me of all people to make such an important blanket, lap pad or whatever for them.  If it wasn't for you then I would have quit long ago.  I keep plugging along because of you!  Hearing all of your stories just proves to me that what I am doing is important and I will keep doing it as long as there is need and I am able.

Last fall, I gave up a home business with Stampin Up.  I had been a demonstrator for 12 years!  It pained my heart to do so, but I knew it was time.  I just don't have the ability to push people into buying stuff (no matter how fabulous it is).  ;)  I was really getting busy with my sewing business and I came to a crossroads.  My husband pointed out the good that I was doing.  He was very tactful because we had this discussion before.  In my heart of hearts, I knew that giving it up was the right choice even if it crushed me a bit.  I have to say....  I miss it, but I am so glad I did.  It has given me more time to do what I really want to do.  Help people like my sons.

Ciao Ciao Brown Cow has grown.  Not only do I make blankets for kiddos with special needs, but now regular blankets thanks to my daughter.  I make baby blankets and baby bibs and all kind of baby stuff thanks to my newborn niece.  I have made curtains thanks to my son's teacher.

Ciao Ciao Brown Cow is becoming more than I ever thought possible and it's all because of YOU!

Many, many thanks and I love you all to pieces!
Ciao Ciao Brown Cow

FABRIC, FABRIC, FABRIC

Thought I would share some of the new fabrics that I just got in and a few of the great ones that I have picked up here and there.  These can be made into weighted lap pads, bibs, burp cloths, wet pads, blankets, etc.  Take a look.  First come, first serve!

Fabric Inventory

Hi All!

I hope that you had an amazing Christmas and New Years!  I open up my shop tomorrow.  Can't believe it.  Well, in anticipation, I decided to do some fabric inventory.  I have posted pics on my Facebook page of the fabric that I have on hand to make something wonderful for you immediately.  Please come and check it out at www.facebook.com/ciaociaobrowncow.

I have started venturing out making burp cloths, bibs and wet pads along with my usual baby blankets, weighted lap pads and weighted blankets.

Also of recent news, Ciao Ciao Brown Cow is now on Instagram!!!!  Please come look me up @ciaociaobrowncow .

Happy New Years!

Ciao Ciao Brown Cow

Christmas Timeline Workshop Hours

Just a little update. I will be closing my workshop for the holidays starting Thursday, December 18th. It will stay closed until January 2nd. I will still take orders, but they will be wait listed until I return from vacation. The last day to submit orders to have them done before the holidays is the end of this week- Friday, December 12th. Merry Christmas!!!!

Come On Over!

Hey Guys!  Just wanted to let you know that there is a special on my Etsy page!  Come on over and check it out.  If you have never been to my Etsy page before then I encourage you to do so now.  Also if you visit my Facebook site you can like the page so that you don't miss out on any deals or new product launches.

https://www.facebook.com/ciaociaobrowncow

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CiaoCiaoBrownCow

How Are Ciao Ciao Brown Cow's Weighted Lap Pads and Weighted Blankets Different?

The other day when "N's" occupational therapist was over I had mentioned of switching things up a bit.  He told me to keep doing things as I was doing them.  Don't change a thing was how he put it.  He said that my service was different and that I was needed.  That made me feel terrific since... it was my birthday!

So how exactly are my lap pads and blankets "different" from the majority or retailers?  Well, this is how.

1.  I UNDERSTAND:   I have 2 children with Autism and each have sensory processing disorders.  They vary on the Spectrum.  I have one that before would have been diagnosed as Aspergers and now he is just considered high functioning.  I have one that has been diagnosed as Classic Autism.  He is the middle of the road PDD-NOS.  He has excelled since his diagnosis and receiving therapies from different companies.  Lots of work, lap pads and blankets.

2.  I CARE ABOUT THAT SPECIAL KID:  When you contact me, I go over everything with you.  I want to know his physical characteristics.  I want to know which colors he is attracted to and what things draw him or her.  I want that child to fall in love with what I make for them.  I go above and beyond looking for whatever piques their interest... or "obsession".

3.  I LOVE QUALITY:  And so should you!  That is why I make products that can be washed and hopefully last for quite awhile.  I understand that your child may use this product to wipe her face on.  I understand that your child may love to play with his spit.  I understand that your child might be in the long term progress of potty training.  I understand that their weighted items probably may need to be washed on an everyday basis.

4.  I AM BUDGET-MINDED:  Money is tight!  I know I am not the only one.  I think it's a crying shame that these products are so expensive.  It has made me mad even because I see how they have benefitted my child and I want other children to feel that sense of comfort and relief from the weight. I try to make my lap pads and blankets as affordable as possible.  The basic blanket and lap pad are priced to compete.  I offer extras, but I want everyone to be able to afford the basic.  I search to find bargains and pass them onto my customers.  I'm not in this business to get rich.  This is a heart and soul project.

THIS is how Ciao Ciao Brown Cow is different.

THIS is why Ciao Ciao Brown Cow is so thankful when parents, grandparents, care providers, SPED teachers put their trust in me to make that special something for their someone special.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Ciao Ciao Brown Cow

Going to the Chapel...

Hi All!

We are back from the wedding this weekend.  It was simply beautiful!!!  The boys were sooooo cute in their little outfits.  The hat was something that "N" put on at the last moment.

The weather was PERFECT and everything went off without a hitch.

My biggest stressor besides the boys carrying a banner down the aisle for the bride was the cake!  I rarely decorate cakes and usually only for my boys on their birthday.  The bride asked me to do it and I did because I love her to pieces.  I wish I had a better picture of it, but this is the only one that I took before it headed upstairs.

Isaac thought it was amazing and I had a ton of compliments.  It was a 2 tier, 4 layer funfetti (a surprise from the bride to the groom because he isn't a cake fan) cake with vanilla pudding hidden between the layers.

I got the "treat" of my life later when I saw my sweet 5yo "I" cutting a rug out on the dance floor with his Oma and then later the bride, his uncle, his aunt and his mama.  I had the privilege of dancing 3 dances with him.  This was THE first time ever that he has danced.  I was shell shocked!  Dancing in a large group of people like he danced everyday of his life.  Go "I"!

So, as I said, it was a fabulous wedding and a fabulous weekend!  Now I am back to the sewing machine.  I have a ton of fabrics that I have picked up and I am going to post them on my next blog post.  They are cute fabrics and I can't wait to make something special from them for someone that is even more special!

Ciao Ciao Brown Cow!

A little something for the Bigger Kid in your Life!

I'm laughing when I wrote the title.  I have a 22 year old daughter, "B".  When I first made "N's" weighted blanket, she fell in love with it and BEGGED me for a blanket of her own.  I told her that I wasn't going to make her a weighted blanket because I wouldn't even be strong enough to lift a near 20 pound blanket to sew!  Imagine trying to push THAT through a little sewing machine!

Anyway, that was early this Spring.  This summer she got the whim that she was going to move across the country.  A Boy thing, a school thing and a job thing, I assure you.  Before she left, she tried one more time.

Playing on my emotion of her moving, it worked.  Of course.....

Babies Need Love Too!

Here is a little project that I have been putting off because all of my wonderful clients have kept me so busy!  THANK YOU FOR THAT!!!!

One of my dear friend's daughter had the cutest little son and just happens to share my "N's" same name, so of course I instantly love him!  I put this cute little blanket together for him.  It measures 24" square.  On a whim I decided that it would make a fantastic taggie lovey blanket so I added some tags.

Then on another whim, I decided to turn one of those tags into an "N" for his first name.  I have never done monograming before.  Honestly, I am not skilled on that subject, so it was a bit of a battle with the sewing machine.  lol.  It did turn out sort of with a vintage look, so I deemed it awesome.  I also make the tags different sizes instead of the same size like I normally do.  As an added bonus, I put in a little chevron stitching to match the fabric.

All in all, I think this little project turned out to be perfect.  The whale minky fabric is SUPER soft.  Love it.  I hope that as little "N" grows that he will fall in love with it too.

Come See What's New!!!!

Long time no write!  We have had a whirlwind of stuff going on here.  Illness, Daughter leaving the nest, Grandparents visiting, More Illness, School, Lots of Sewing and Life!  I hope this finds everyone well.  I have a ton of things to post, but I think this is one of the most important posts.  I will have to catch you up later on all of the neat things I have been creating this last month.

I am SOOOO excited to introduce a new pocket option for the lap pad!!!!  What a great way for your loved one to keep their special something close by while they eat or do work.  I am over the top excited about this one.

This came as a special request.  I have never made a pocket on my lap pads before, so it took a bit of planning.  I think it came out so nicely though!!!!  I took it to school and gave it to the little boy myself.  He absolutely loved it.

Please check out my Etsy listing here:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/202105801/customized-2-lb-weighted-lap-pad-with?

Sorry that the quality of the photo isn't very nice.  If you look at the actual listing you will find a close up of the pocket.  For whatever reason when I uploaded the picture it didn't take.  Computer issues.  :P  Anyway, the pocket is marked by the orange ribbon topper which gives the pocket a very nice finished.  It is also very soft so it makes it pleasant to feel and noticeable where the pocket is located.  

This is the little boy, "S".  He is SOOOO cute.  He must have taken his little white car in and out of the pocket 10X before deciding that it was nice and safe in the pocket.  He sat there and explored the lap pad for several minutes checking out the ribbons, the texture of the lap pad, the space ship and rocket dog.  It delighted me to no end to be able to stand there and watch him go.  My day was definitely made and reconfirmed the reason why I am doing this.  :)

Ciao Ciao Brown Cows!

School and Other Things

Good Morning, Lovelies!

I hope this is finding everyone well this morning.  "I" is sick and home from school.  We are headed to the doctor this afternoon.  Praying it's not that nasty virus going around and praying that brother, "N", doesn't get sick since he has a hard time recovering once ill.  I have been pumping him full of OJ, Vitamin C, Airborne and Vitamins trying to boost his immune system.  I'm hoping it's just a sinus infection since the season has changed dramatically here.  We went from Hot Summer to Cool
Fall all in a span of one day.

Anyway, I finished my latest weighted blanket so I thought I would share it with you.  It turned out super cute.  My new little gadget that I installed on my sewing machine has made sewing these tricky things so much easier.  Feeling blessed!

I am now starting work on a matching order of regular weighted blankets for a daycare.  Will post when I am finished with the first.  I just absolutely LOVE this fabric!!!

Ciao Ciao Brown Cow!

Busy Week/end

It has been such a busy last week and weekend.  It is looking like this week is more of the same.  It is amazing how busy your life becomes when you add a little project here and a little activity there.  Next thing you know your calendar is booked up!

So last Wednesday I completed this amazingly awesome lap pad.  Did I take a picture of it?  NOOOOO!  Of course not.  I didn't realize that little fact until I arrived home from the post office.  I do have the first one I did though.  I was over half way done with it when I decided that I really didn't like the stitching on this project.  What does that mean?  It means that I remade this customer's order in 1 day so I could get it out to her the day that I said.  I want my customers to be happy with the product that they purchase.  I try to put myself in their shoes and look at the creations that I make.  If I am not happy with it (and honestly,... I am my own worst judge) then I don't want to give it to someone else that might not be happy with it.  Anyway, here is the first one that I made....

It is a great thing that I pushed and got this order out because a few days later everyone in my house came down with a bug.  Thankfully after such a busy week we had nothing except a birthday party that was planned.  After declining our RSVP, we laid around and recovered.  The boys got to watch a Muppets Movie.  Daddy went up and borrowed Sister's TV and DVD player so "I" and "N" could watch the movie while we sat in the living room and watched football.

So Monday was the start of my work week.  The boys were off school for Fair Day, but I went ahead and worked.  "N" is way to sensitive to the sounds that occur at a fair so we just stay home.  They played and had ABA therapy.  I sewed.  So below is a picture of the fabric that I am working with to make blankets for a daycare.  Seriously, how cute is this fabric?!  I am fairly partial to bears anyhow.  I will post later in the week with some pictures of the blankets.  

Have a great week!

12th Man FLASH SALE!!!!!!

This offer is good for Washington State Residents ONLY!!!

Are you a Washington Resident?

Are you a Seattle Seahawks Fan?

Are you decked out for Blue Friday?

Then this is the sale for you.

Good until midnight tonight, when you submit an inquiry for a blanket estimate by Midnight tonight, you will receive 12% off of your order (does not include shipping).  This offer cannot be combined with any other offer.

Go HAWKS!